Veteran gem and jewellery exporter Kirtilal K. Doshi of Shrenuj group was honoured for his contributions to the G&J industry at a special function organized by the Gem & Jewellery Exporters’ Association (GJEA) in Mumbai on June 14, 2019. Kirtibhai is a founder member and past President of GJEA, and a living legend in the industry.
 

Sevantilal P. Shah, Partner, Venus Jewel, was the Chief Guest and Arunkumar R. Mehta, Chairman, Rosy Blue (I) Pvt. Ltd. was Guest of Honour, while Arvind C. Parikh, President GJEA and Navin Jasnani, Vice President, GJEA were the other dignitaries on the dais.
 

In his brief Welcome Address, Arvindbhai spoke about the contributions to the industry of Kirtibhai, as well of the two other industry veterans, Sevantibhai and Arunbhai.
 

Later, both Sevantibhai and Arunbhai talked about their own experiences in the industry and their long association with Kirtibhai.
 

On behalf of the industry, Dr. AVR Reddy, Chief Cordinator, GII traced the key milestones in the life of Kirtibhai, describing him as “a multifaceted genius of the gem & jewellery industry”. He was the pioneer of coloured stones and diamond trade in India and the first in India to start diamond cutting and polishing using modern laser technology. Kirtibhai founded Shrenuj group with a foot-print across 15 countries. He was also a founder of Gem & Jewellery Exporters’ Association and Gemmological Institute of India (GII). As a leading philanthropist, he has also been associated with a number of public charitable trusts and educational institutions during his long career and has published seven volumes in English and Gujarati containing quotes and wisdom of words collected by him over five decades.
 

Dr Reddy also briefly spoke about the contributions made by Rajendrabhai Shah, another living legend, to the trade in general and formation of GJEA and GII in particular. He referred to Kirtibhai and him as the Bhishma and Dronacharya of industry respectively.  
 

After Kirtibhai was presented with a bouquet, shawl and a memento of a silver plaque by Sevantibhai on behalf of GJEA, he spoke briefly, remembering all the stalwarts of the industry associated with him and his own tryst with industry and educational institutes.